Next Nexus is the best

Google's Nexus programme gives birth to a pure Android smartphone every year, sometimes two, or perhaps a tablet. The idea behind the Nexus is to showcase Android in its purest form, away from the poking and prodding of manufacturer skins.

It's given rise to some great devices over the past years, but in recent times, has seen some of the most competitive Android handsets offered up. Where manufacturer flagships are often fighting to be king of the spec sheet, Nexus doesn't always go toe-to-toe. There has often been compromises and we've see the exclusion of some features, like microSD card slots.

Importantly, the Nexus is the chance for Google to say "this is what Android is". With 2016 well under way, we're looking forward to the next Nexus, in a year that's rumoured to be bringing some big changes.

Next Nexus (2016): Release date

It's no secret that Google's Nexus devices arrive in line with the latest version of Android and the likelihood of that changing is slim to nothing.

With that in mind, don't expect a new Nexus anytime before the end of September. The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P were both announced on 29 September 2015, hitting the shelves in October so expect a similar timeframe for 2016's Nexus device or devices.

We'd expect Android N to make its appearance around this time and the next Nexus will be the showcase device for it.

Next Nexus (2016): Manufacturer

There are currently two Nexus smartphone models. The Nexus 5X is the cheaper and smaller of the two available, manufactured by LG. The Nexus 6P is the larger and more premium device made by Huawei.

Both showcase the manufacturers' skills bringing with them character from the company who created them. The older Nexus 6 was distinctly Motorola and similar to the Moto X family, while the more recent Nexus 6P is clearly a Huawei device, similar to the P series.

Rumour has it this might not be the case for Nexus devices going forward. Sources talking to The Information claimed that Google is looking to play a much greater role in the hardware design, as well as software, which would make the smartphone manufacturer more of a contractor than a partner. As The Information rightly points out, some larger brands might not be completely au fait with this idea as they already get very little from the Nexus partnership.

There are separate reports that suggest that HTC might be lined up to produce the next Nexus. In fact, MyDrivers claims that HTC has signed a contract with Alphabet, Google's parent company, to manufacture the Nexus devices for the next three years.

This idea is supported by Evan Blass, a serial leakster often with accurate information, who claims HTC will indeed be making Google's next Nexus devices and that they are currently being called M1 and S1 internally. Android Police also backs up the codenames in a separate report, claiming M1 refers to Marlin and S1 is Sailfish. These will of course be renamed when they are announced but it gives us something to work with for now.

Other reports have since claimed Huawei will be involved in the manufacture of the next Nexus device following a statement from the Chinese company's executives. Charlene Munilall, who is Huawei's general manager in South Africa has said "we're doing the Nexus again this year, by the way."

Whether Huawei will be the sole manufacture or whether HTC will also be involved is currently unclear. It is also unclear whether the companies will have design control or participate in more of an OEM role, or of course whether either will be involved at all. The one thing we do know is that LG won't be manufacturing the next Nexus, leaving space for another manufacturer to step in.

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